2005 Jeep Wrangler
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 650 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Wrangler model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 10 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulicMar 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Campaign 06E022000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 6, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE SHAFT MOVES OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 'PARK' POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSIONS AND INSTALL A BRACKET TO ENSURE THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT IS RETAINED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 05V460000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
650 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2013, fire
HAD BEEN NOTICING A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, NEVER FOUND A CAUSE OR ANYTHING NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DRIVING HOME EARLY ONE MORNING I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING, THE BRIGHTS WORKED AND SO DID THE FOG LIGHTS, BUT NO LOW BEAMS. AFTER LOOKING ON JEEP FORUMS AND NOTICING A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I DECIDED TO TAKE THE COVER OFF MY COLUMN AND TAKE A LOOK. THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO MY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS BURNT, PROOF OF AT LEAST ONE SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE, IF NOT MULTIPLE SMALL FIRES. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, MULTIPLE POSTERS ON JEEP FORUMS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EVENTS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2013
FUEL FILLER OVERFLOWS WHEN FUELING TANK, EVERY TIME. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 8, 2013
EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK THE GAS SPITS OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I GO SLOW OR FAST. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 25, 2013
EACH TIME I FUEL MY JEEP IF I LET THE GAS AUTOMATICALLY RUN IT WILL NOT CLICK THE PUMP OFF WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL. IT CONTINUES TO RUN OVERFLOWING EVERYWHERE. *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2013
FUEL SPILLS OUT OF FILLER HOSE ALMOST EVERY TIME I FILL UP FUEL. THE GAS SPILLS OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND AT THE GAS STATION. I COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLLER HQ AND THEY SAID, ITS BEEN NOTED AND MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALLS THAT THEY HAVE ON THE LATER MODEL JEEP WRANGLERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2013
EACH AND EVERY TIME I FILL THE VEHICLE UP WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE GAS TANK ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. IT HAS RUINED MY FENDER FLARE NOT TO MENTION THE GASOLINE ON THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY GAS TANK. THIS HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I FILL UP THE VEHICLE (REGARDLESS OF THE GAS STATION). THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO HANDLE IT IS IN A MANUAL PROCESS (NOT USING THE PUMP HANDLE SWITCH TO KEEP PUMP ON), HOWEVER THAT STILL DOES NOT STOP THE FUEL FROM FILLING OUT THE TANK. THIS HAS RUINED SOME OF MY CLOTHES AND AS MENTIONED, IS CREATING PLENTY OF POLLUTION EVERY SPILL. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WRANGLERS AS IT IS COMMONLY REPORTED IN ONLINE FORUMS. I AM ASKING FOR CHRYSLER'S ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AND THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 19, 2013
GAS OVERFLOWS AND RUSHES OUT WHEN PUMPING GAS WHEN TANK BECOMES FULL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 18, 2013
FUEL SPITS OUT OF THE REFUEL RECEPTACLE EVERY TIME I FILL THE TANK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 13, 2013
EACH TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK WITH FUEL, THE FUEL OVERFLOWS OUT OF THE TANK. AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ONLY AFTER LEARNING FROM MANY OTHER JEEP OWNERS THEY ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THIS AMOUNT OF FUEL TO BE SPILLED (AND SPEWED) FROM THE GAS TANK, THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT IT IS TO MONITOR THE GALLONS GOING IN AND STOP IT MANUALLY WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IS NOT ALWAYS A SUCCESSFUL APPROACH. THANKS! *TR
Tires, Jul 29, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER GS-A TIRES, SIZE 30X9.50 R 15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRUSHED HAND AND BACK INJURIES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HAND INJURY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 24, 2013
WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS TANK ON MY 2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED, THE GAS TANK OVER FLOWS AND SPEWS GAS OUT DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BODY AND ONTO THE CONCRETE. IT LEAVES A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ABOUT 8 OUNCES OR SO. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2013
WHEN REFILLING GAS THE AUTO SHUTOFF DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY AND FUEL SPILLS OUT ONTO VEHICLE AND GROUND AS IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF SOON ENOUGH. GAS CAN SPLASH ON PERSON HOLDING NOZZLE OR NEAR VEHICLE. FIRE AND POLLUTION RISK. *TR
Steering, Jul 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPAIR AVAILABLE TO RECTIFY THE "DEATH WOBBLE" HE HAD EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 09/18/13*LJ
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED....IT WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING AND I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. A TINY PIN IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. THIS 1/2" PIN IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY AND I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT A COST OVER $600! *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 15, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED...WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HITTING A SPEED OF ABOUT 62 MY JEEP STARTING SHAKING SO VIOLENTLY THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOOSE MY FRONT END! THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COME OFF IN MY HANDS AND THAT MY TIRES WERE READY TO FALL OFF AS WELL! THIS WAS VERY VERY SCARY SINCE I HAD MY GRANDCHILD IN THE JEEP WITH ME! I PAID OVER $800 TO HAVE THE SUSPENSION ROD/TIE RODS REPLACED. THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, MY JEEP WOULD NOT START. A LITTLE PIN IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AND THE THAT PART IS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY SO I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED...ABOUT ANOTHER $600. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 2, 2013
HI, APPARENTLY MY SITUATION ISN'T UNIQUE, I HAVE A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED WITH LESS THAN 70K MILES. AT ABOUT 50MPH IT STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS JEEP, ABOUT 2 1/2 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY INSPECTED THE TIE-ROD ENDS AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. IT WAS SHAKING SO BAD I THOUGHT THAT SURELY MY FRONT END WAS COMING APART SO, I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND WAS LED TO A PLETHORA OF INFORMATION AND FOUND THE TERM "DEATH WOBBLE", I THOUGHT IT FELT LIKE DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, BUT DEATH WOBBLE SEEMS TO ALSO BE AN APPROPRIATE TERM AS WELL, BECAUSE THE FRONT END SEEMS TO BE SHAKING TO DEATH. I, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, WENT TO KEVIN'S OFF ROAD, KOR, WEBSITE AND READ ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CAUSES AND CURES. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS, IT'S AS STOCK AS THEY COME. ANYWAY, KEVIN'S RECOMMENDED SOLUTION TO MY "WOBBLE" IS TO REPLACE THE TRACK BAR, THE STEERING DAMPER, CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS. THE COST FOR THIS IS AROUND $366 FOR THE PARTS AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LABOR COSTS WILL BE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT MAYBE SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER SHOULD ACTUALLY GO DRIVE ONE BEFORE THEY SAY "IT'S NOT OUR FAULT". THEY SHOULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION SINCE THEY CREATED THE PROBLEM. MY 1989 JEEP DOESN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM, LEAF SPRINGS VS. INDEPENDENT COIL SPRINGS, PERHAPS,... A SMOOTHER RIDE BUT AT WHAT COST? $366 PLUS LABOR FOR ME. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP APPLY PRESSURE TO CHRYSLER TO MAKE THIS RIGHT? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND INTEREST. *TR
Power train, Jun 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP WRANGLER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 30, 2013
WHEN FUELING UP, NOZZLE DOES NOT SHUT OFF AND FUEL SPILLS OUT ONTO ME AND GROUND. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 26, 2013
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED THAT WHEN FILLING THE TANK IT ACTUALLY SPLASHES FUEL OUT OF THE FILL TUBE EVERY TIME THE GAS STATION NOZZLE CLICKS OFF WHEN FULL. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS JEEP FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO MICHIGAN AND USED SEVERAL DIFFERENT STYLES OF NOZZLES FROM GAS STATIONS IN MANY STATES. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE FUEL DELIVERY, ANGLE THE NOZZLE DIFFERENTLY, STOP EARLY AND RESUME FILLING. THE RESULT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ENOUGH FUEL TO RUN DOWN A SQUARE FOOT AREA ON MY CAR AND LEAVE A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND WILL ALWAYS SHOOT OUT UNDER PRESSURE. I END UP WITH GAS ON MY CAR, ON ME AND ON THE GROUND. THIS CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED SAFE FOR MY WELL BEING OR THE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY GAS TANK, A $1200 REPAIR, TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 8, 2013
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED ON MY 05 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED, THE PUMP DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY, SPILLING GAS OVER THE VEHICLE, THE GROUND, AND THE INDIVIDUAL PUMPING THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME, REGARDLESS OF GAS STATION.
Suspension, Apr 29, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INSIDE LANE AT OR ABOUT 43MPH ON A STATE HWY WHEN IT HIT A VERY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY 2005 JEEP WRANGLER BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL, NEARLY STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE OUTSIDE LANE. THE SHAKING WAS SO VIOLENT I THOUGHT MY JEEP WAS LITERALLY GOING TO FALL APART AND/OR FLIP OVER. I WORK OUT OF TOWN AND WAS FORCED TO RETURN HOME AND TAKE MY WIFE'S TRUCK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2013
WHEN REFUELING MY JEEP, FUEL WAS EXPELLED FROM THE FILER NECK AT THE SAME TIME THE FUEL PUMP CUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY. I WAS COVERED IN GASOLINE THIS TIME AFTER THE FUEL WAS EXPELLED FROM THE TANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON EVERY REFILL STARTING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO BUT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN DOUSED WITH FUEL. THE JEEP DEALER INDICATED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN INITIATED ON HUNDREDS OF WRANGLERS BUT NOT THE 2005 JEEP WRANGLERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE CONSUMER NEEDS YOUR HELP!! MANY ONLINE ARTICLES FROM ORGANIZATIONS LIKE EDMUNDS AND CONSUMER REPORTS HAS INDICATED THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 2, 2013
EVERY TIME I GO TO FILL UP MY GAS TANK- ONCE THE FUEL PUMP REACHES THE FULL AMOUNT THE FUEL STARTS COMING OUT OF THE TANK SPILLING ALL OVER THE SIDE OF MY WRANGLER AND SOMETIMES ON MY SHOES. EVEN WHEN I SLOW PUMP THE GAS INTO THE TANK, ONCE IT REACHES A CERTAIN POINT (WHICH I CAN NEVER TELL BECAUSE MOST VEHICLES MAKE THE GAS PUMP CLICK OFF ONCE FULL) IT ALMOST ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY PURGES ITSELF. *TR
Steering, Apr 2, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD AT ABOUT 47 MPH WHEN I MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. IT SERIOUSLY FELT AS IF MY WRANGLER WAS GOING TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES RIGHT OFF. THE ONLY WAY I ABLE TO STOP THE SHAKING WAS TO PULL OVER AND SLOW DOWN, THEN AS SOON AS I HIT 47 MPH THIS HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND THEY CALL IT A "DEATH WOBBLE," AND THIS HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH JEEP WRANGLERS FOR SOME TIME NOW. BUT FOR SOME REASON CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEVERITY AND DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS KIND OF DEFECT COULD KILL SOMEONE! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2013
I WAS FILLING UP MY GAS TANK. WHEN TANK WAS FULL, GAS SPILLED OUT OF FILLER ALL OVER MY VEHICLE AND GROUND BEFORE IT WOULD STOP. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR WRANGLER. *TR